Rack

ABSTRACT

A rack for holding a plurality of flat articles includes three elongated supports each having a longitudinal axis and each having longitudinal ends. Linking elements are connected to the elongated supports for supporting the elongated supports in a position in which the longitudinal axes of the elongated supports are parallel to one another and in which the longitudinal ends of the elongated supports are disposed at the apexes of a triangle. A pivotal mounting pivotably mounts at least one of the linking elements on at least one of the elongated supports to enable changing the relative position between the at least one elongated support and the at least one other elongated support. A plurality of spaced and parallel flange members are provided on each of the elongated supports for supporting edge portions of the flat articles in the spaces between the flange members.

BACKGROUND ART

This invention relates to a rack for accommodating flat articles such asfloppy discs (FDs), compact discs (CDs), and video cassette tapes in avertically or transversally aligned state.

Conventionally, there have been known racks of various types for officeuse or home use to accommodate a multitude of flat articles for thepurpose of display and storage. A rack of such well known type is of abox type in which a frontal surface or a top surface is opened and theinside space is partitioned by shelves or partition members toaccommodate articles vertically in a horizontal posture or transversallyin an upright posture.

The conventional box type rack as mentioned above requires plates tocover five surfaces of a box, and a certain number of shelves orpartition members as constituent elements. Accordingly, the number ofparts is increased, and the area and weight for the parts is alsoincreased, resulting in an increase of volume and weight of the rack asa whole.

Accordingly, the cost for material, production, and transportation isinevitably raised, while necessitating a large space in storage and inuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, an object of this invention is to provide a rackwith a simple structure, less number of parts, reduced volume and weightas a whole, and low production cost, without the necessity of a largespace.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rack capable of stablyaccommodating flat articles with a three-point support structure.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a rack capable ofaccommodating articles corresponding to the planar contour and size ofthe articles.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a rack capable ofmaximally decreasing the number of parts and assembling with ease.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To solve the above problems, the rack according to this invention hasadopted the following construction.

The invention, according to one embodiment is directed to a rack foraccommodating plural flat articles vertically in a horizontal posture ortransversally in an upright posture. The rack comprises: at least onepair of rod members disposed in parallel with a certain distance forreceiving the article therebetween; retainer means for retaining the rodmembers with the certain distance in parallel; and plural flange memberslined up in the longitudinal direction of each rod member with a certaininterval for supporting a periphery of the article to retain the articlein an accommodated state.

The retainer means may be a linking plate, and a set or plural sets ofthree rod members may be arranged such that each end of the rod membersconstitutes an apex of a triangle and one rod member of the adjacentsets is common when the rack comprises the plural sets. The adjacent rodmembers may be linked by the linking plate at respective lengthwise endsthereof.

The linking plate may be rotatably coupled to the rod member about thelongitudinal axis of the rod member.

The retainer means may be a base member and each rod member may bemounted upright on the base member.

The retainer means comprise an expandable pillar including an outercylinder and an inner cylinder slidably fitted in the outer cylinder,the end of which is connectable to the rod member, and a fixingmechanism for fixing a relative position of the inner cylinder withrespect to the outer cylinder to compressingly mount the rod memberbetween upper and lower horizontal planes with a certain tension.

The rod member may be constructed such that a shaft is integrally formedwith the plural flange members lined up in the axial direction by thecertain interval along an outer circumference thereof.

The rod member may be constructed such that plural rod pieces eachprovided with the flange member are coupled one over another axially insuch a manner that the flange members opposing to one another by thecertain interval.

Each rod piece may be formed with a hollow portion, and the rod membermay be constructed such that a core rod is inserted through the hollowportions of the rod pieces.

Each rod piece may be formed with a hollow portion and an engagingportion of a small diameter at one end, and the rod pieces may beaxially coupled one over another by fittingly mounting the engagingportion of the rod piece in the hollow portion of the another rod piece.

With the above arrangement, each rod member serves as a side plate or arear plate for the rack, and the flange members serve as shelves orpartition members for the rack. Accordingly, the construction of therack as a whole can be simplified, compared to the conventional box typerack, while reducing the volume and weight of the rack.

As a result, the cost for material, production, and transportation canbe lessened, while decreasing the space for the rack in storage and inuse.

The article can be supported at three points by the three rod membersdisposed in a triangle, the opposite side rod members serve as right andleft side plates for the rack, and the center rod member serves as arear plate for the rack. Thereby, the flat article can be stablyaccommodated.

One set of rack unit consisting of three rod members or an assembly ofplural sets of rack units as a whole may be foldable and expandable.Accordingly, the space for the rack can be further reduced by foldingthe rack to a closed state in storage, transportation, and in non-usedstate.

The distance between the opposite side rod members can be adjustedaccording to the planar contour and size of the article to beaccommodated.

In the case where the rack is constructed into a zigzag shape in planarview by assembling the plural sets of rack units, the direction ofinserting the article can be differentiated per rack unit, or thearticle can be accommodated in the opposite direction every other rackunit. Thus, display systems which would not have been conducted with useof the conventional rack can be adopted.

Each rod member may be mounted upright to the common base member suchthat the upstanding posture of the rack can be more stabilized, comparedto the case where the rod members are linked each other by the linkingplate at the opposite lengthwise ends thereof.

Merely compressingly mounting the rod member between e.g., a ceiling anda floor can facilitate assembly of the rack. Only two rod members woulddo, if a side wall of a building is utilized as a rear plate for therack.

The rod member may be constructed by a shaft and plural flange membersintegrally formed along an outer circumference of the shaft, theproduction cost for the rod member can be reduced.

The rod pieces each provided with the flange member may be axiallycoupled one over another to form the rod member, increasing ordecreasing the number of rod pieces can desirably adjust the length ofthe rod member.

Where the rod pieces are axially coupled by inserting the core rod inthe hollow of the rod pieces, the rod member can be reinforced by theexistence of core rod. This arrangement is effective in producing a rackof a multiple shelf type.

Where the rod pieces with the hollow portion are directly coupled oneover another, merely increasing or decreasing the number of rod piecescan adjust the length of the rod member easily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rack as a first embodiment accordingto this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the rack;

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross sectional view of the rack;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the rack taken along the line IV--IVin FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partially cross sectional view of a rack as a secondembodiment according to this invention;

FIG. 6 is a partially cross sectional view of a rack as a thirdembodiment according to this invention;

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of the third rack;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a rack as a fourth embodiment accordingto this invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rack as a fifth embodiment accordingto this invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a rack as a sixth embodiment accordingto this invention;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a rack as a seventh embodiment according tothis invention; and

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of an expandable pillarfor use in the seventh rack.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of this invention will be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 4):

A rack according to the first embodiment comprises three rod members 1disposed in a triangle, and a linking plate 4 each for linking theadjacent rod members 1 at opposite upper and lower ends thereof.

Each rod member 1 is constructed such that a shaft 2 is integrallyformed with a multitude of circular flange members 3 around an outercircumference thereof lined up in the longitudinal direction by acertain interval. The shaft 2 and the flange members 3 are integrallymolded by plastic molding using such as a polypropylene.

The shaft 2 is molded into a cross-shape in cross section to preventpartial deformation of a molded product, and has a circular shape incross section in the middle between the adjacent flange members 3 toavoid obstruction in mounting articles in the rack.

The linking plate 4 is formed with a hole 5 at opposite ends thereof.The upper and lower ends of the rod members 1 and 1 adjacent to eachother are fitted in the corresponding hole 5 of the linking plates 4,and the fitting state of the linking plate 4 and the rod member 1 issecured by a cap 6. Indicated at numeral 7 is a spacer.

The linking plates 4 keep the adjacent rod members 1 and 1 in uprightparallel posture spaced apart by a certain distance.

The linking plate 4 is rotatably mounted to the rod member 1 about anaxis X of the rod member 1. Thereby, the rack as a whole is expandable(openable) to a V-shape in planar view when in use, while foldable to aclosed state where the opposite side rod members 1 and 1 come intocontact with each other, as shown by phantom line in FIG. 4, intransporting the rack or non-used state of the rack.

The linking plate 4 is formed with a downward jutting rim 4a along aperimeter thereof, and a projection 8 is formed at a top surface of thelinking plate at proximity of the opposite ends of the linking plate.Engagement of the projection 8 of one linking plate with an inner sideof the rim 4a of the adjacent linking plate restricts a further openingof the rack (i.e., determines the maximum open angle θ of the linkingplates 4 in a used state of the rack).

Note that the distance of the adjacent rod members 1, the maximum openangle θ, the interval between the flange members 3 are determinedaccording to the planar dimension and thickness of article to beaccommodated in the rack.

A variation of the planar dimension of article to a certain extent canbe coped by adjusting the distance between the opposite side rod members1 and 1 (i.e., open angle of the rack).

The rack according to this invention is used for display, exhibition andstorage of flat articles A such as CDs, FDs, and video cassette tapesfor office use or home use (basically, articles in this inventionindicate four-sided flat articles, and accordingly, if the articles areCDs, the CDs are accommodated in a four-sided case).

More specifically, when the rack is to be used, the rack is opened up inan upright posture (like a fan) in such a manner that articles A areinserted between the adjacent rod members 1 and 1 to support eacharticle A at the flange members 3 disposed at the same height level ofthe rod members 1 and 1.

In this way, the article A is supported at three points, i.e., at therespective middle points of right and left sides and rear side of thearticle. That is, the article is accommodated in the rack in avertically aligned state by the number identical to the number of flangemembers 3 in a state that a lateral displacement and a backwarddisplacement are restricted by the opposite side rod members 1 and 1 andthe center rod member 1 respectively.

According to the rack having the above construction, the respective rodmembers 1 serve as a side plate or a rear plate, while the flangemembers 3 of each rod member 1 serve as shelves. Accordingly, theconstruction of the rack according to this invention is far moresimplified, compared to the conventional box type rack, while reducingthe volume, weight, and space for the rack.

Furthermore, the three rod members 1 arranged in a triangle can supportthe article A at three points and restrict the lateral and backwardmovement of the article. Accordingly, the article A can be stablyaccommodated in the rack.

In addition, since the rack is foldable and expandable, the space forthe rack during storage, transportation and in non-use state can befurther reduced by folding the rack to a closed state.

Second Embodiment (see FIG. 5):

Only the differences between the first and second embodiments aredescribed hereinafter.

In the first embodiment, the rod member 1 is integrally formed bymolding. In the second embodiment, a rod member 11 is constructed asfollows. Hollow cylindrical rod pieces 9 each provided with a flangemember 9a at the lower end thereof are vertically assembled one overanother in a state that the flange members 9a of the adjacent rod pieces9 oppose by a certain interval and a core rod 10 is inserted through thehollows of the rod pieces 9. Indicated at numeral 12 is a linking platefor linking the rod members 11.

The core rod 10 has a stopper pin 13 horizontally inserted through thelower end thereof and a threaded hole 14 at the upper end thereof. Thecore rod 10 is fixedly linked to the linking plates 12 such that thestopper pin 13 is engaged with the underside of the lower linking plate12 and a threaded screw 15 is engageably fitted in the threaded hole 14via the upper linking plate 12.

Third Embodiment (see FIGS. 6 and 7):

In the third embodiment, a rod member 17 is constructed such that amultitude of cylindrical rod pieces 16 each provided with a flangemember 16a at the lower end thereof are vertically assembled one overanother. Numeral 18 indicates a linking plate, 19 indicates a spacer,and 20 indicates a cap.

The rod piece 16 has an engaging portion 16b of a small diameter at theupper end thereof. The rod pieces 16 are linked one another such thatthe engaging portion 16b of one rod piece is fitted in the lower end ofthe adjacent upper rod piece.

To secure the linkage of rod pieces at the engaging portion, as shown inFIG. 7, the outer circumference of the engaging portion 16b and theinner circumference of the lower portion of the rod piece 16 are formed,in its entirety, with a projection 21. Thereby, the rod pieces 16adjacent one another are pressingly linked by abutting engagement of theprojections 21.

The linking plate 18 has an upper linking portion 18a and a lowerlinking portion 18b at an upper surface and a lower surface of oppositeends thereof, respectively. The upper and lower linking portions 18a and18b are in the form of a cylinder with a small axial dimension. Thelower linking portion 18b of the upper linking plate 18 is fittinglylinked to the engaging portion 16b of the uppermost rod piece 16 or tothe upper linking portion 18a of the adjacent linking plate 18. Theupper linking portion 18a of the lower linking plate 18 is fittinglylinked to the lower end of the lowermost rod piece 16 or to the lowerlinking portion 18b of the adjacent linking plate 18.

The spacer 19 is also provided with upper and lower linking portions 19aand 19b, similar to the upper and lower linking portions 18a and 18b ofthe linking plate 18. As shown in the drawing, when the spacer 19 ismounted on the lower end of the rod member 17, the upper linking portion19a is fittingly linked to the lower linking portion 18b of the lowerlinking plate 18.

The cap 20 has a linking portion 20a at the underside thereof. Thelinking portion 20a is fittingly linked to the upper linking portion 18aof the upper linking plate 18.

Although not illustrated, the projection 21 formed at the rod piece 16is also provided for the spacer 19 and for the cap 20.

According to the second and third embodiments, as well as basic effectssuch as structural simplification, the height of the rack can bedesirably adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of rod pieces9 (16) (and by replacing the core rod 10 in the second embodiment).

In particular, according to the third embodiment, the height adjustmentcan be facilitated merely by increasing or decreasing the number of rodpieces 16.

Moreover, the second embodiment is more advantageous in producing a rackof a multiple shelf type, compared to the third embodiment, because thecore rod 10 reinforces the axial strength of the rod member 17.

Furthermore, according to the second and third embodiments, the rodpieces 9 (16) may be divided into several groups by identifying acertain number of adjacent rod pieces with the same color. In this case,the rack becomes more user-friendly such that e.g., CDs can becategorized according to genre.

Fourth Embodiment (see FIG. 8):

The rack according to the foregoing embodiments supports articles A in ahorizontal posture in a vertically aligned state. A rack according tothis embodiment is designed to transversally support articles A in anupright posture by the following arrangement. That is, rod members 22and 22 are linked horizontally in parallel by linking plates 23 and 23,and the article A in an upright posture is supported bridgingly at theopposite rod members 22 and 22.

In this case, the article A is upright supported to the rod members 22and 22 such that opposite lower ends of the article A are sandwichedbetween adjacent flange members 24 of the rod members 22 and 22.

In the fourth embodiment, any arrangement of the rod member 1, 11 or 17and the linking mechanism thereof in the first to the third embodimentsmay be applicable to the arrangement of the rod member 22 and thelinking mechanism thereof.

Fifth Embodiment (see FIG. 9):

In this embodiment, two sets of rack units are combinedly assembled suchthat one rack unit is linked to the other rack unit by means of a commonrod member. Specifically, one of the opposite side rod members in theone rack unit serves as the other of the opposite side rod members inthe other rack unit. With this arrangement, the rack has a zigzag shapein plan view. Each rack unit comprises three rod members 25 and alinking plate 26 each for linking the adjacent rod members 25. Numeral27 indicates a flange member for the rod member 25.

According to the fifth embodiment, the direction of inserting thearticle A can be differentiated per rack unit, or the article A can beaccommodated in the opposite direction every other rack unit. Thus,display systems which would not have been conducted with use of theconventional rack can be realized.

Sixth Embodiment (see FIG. 10):

In this embodiment, two rod members 28 and 28 having a verticalalignment/link structure shown in the third embodiment are linked byinserting an inverted U-shape pillar 29 through the hollow of the rodmembers 28 and 28, and the opposite ends of the pillar 29 are fixedlymounted to a base member 30 of a circular shape (or rectangular shape).With this construction, the rod members 28 and 28 are supported inupright parallel posture spaced apart by a certain distance. Numeral 31denotes a flange member for the rod member 28.

A sub pillar 32 is mounted between a top (intermediate) portion of thepillar 29 and the base member 30 behind the rod members 28 and 28. Thesub pillar 32 serves as a stopper to restrict a backward displacement ofan article A.

The rod members 28 and 28 in this embodiment can be more stablysupported in an upright posture, compared to the first to the fifthembodiments.

Note that the base-assisted method according to this embodiment isapplicable to the case where three or more rod members are to beemployed.

Seventh Embodiment (see FIGS. 11 and 12):

A rack according to the seventh embodiment is of a strut type.Specifically, the rack comprises plural rod members 33 of verticalalignment/link structure shown in the third embodiment, and anexpandable pillar 34 fixedly mounted between upper and lower horizontalplanes (e.g., between a ceiling and a floor) through a hollow of eachrod member 33 with a certain tension. With this construction, the rodmembers 33 are supported in upright parallel posture spaced apart by acertain distance.

The expandable pillar 34 includes an outer cylinder 35 and an innercylinder 36 fitted in the outer cylinder 35 to be expandable andcontractible, and has its length settable at any size with a certaintension by a fixing mechanism.

The fixing mechanism is, as shown in FIG. 12, constructed such that anupper end 35a of the outer cylinder 35 is formed into a taper asapproaching the end. The upper end 35a is externally threaded withplural vertical slits 37.

The vertical slits 37 allow the upper end 35a to be radially expandableand contractible in the following manner. When an internally threadedtubular member 38 is engageably fitted over the upper end 35a, the upperend 35a has its radial size reduced to fixedly mount the inner cylinder36 in the outer cylinder 35. Thereby, the expandable pillar 34 is set toa desired length.

According to this embodiment, the rack can be assembled in a simplifiedmanner by fixedly mounting the rod members 33 between the upper andlower horizontal planes with a certain tension. Use of a side wall of abuilding where the rack is to be installed as a rear plate for the rackcan set the number of rod members to two.

A material for the rod member used in the rack according to thisinvention is not limited to a plastic, but may be a metallic materialsuch as aluminum. In the case where the rod member is made of a metallicmaterial, in place of the vertical alignment/link mechanism shown in thethird embodiment where the rod pieces are axially assembled one overanother, means for linking adjacent rod pieces by fastening means suchas a screw may be applicable.

According to the invention, the rack is not limited to accommodate discmembers such as CDs and FDs, but may be widely used to accommodate flatarticles of various types such as dishes, books, and framed posters.

EXPLOITATION IN INDUSTRY

As mentioned above, the rack according to this invention is constructedsuch that at least one pair of rod members are retained in parallel witha certain distance by retainer means and flange members provided on eachrod member support a periphery of articles. With this construction, therod member serves as a side plate or a rear plate, and the flangemembers serve as shelves or partition members. Thereby, the constructionof the rack as a whole can be simplified, compared to the conventionalbox type rack, while reducing the volume and weight of the rack.

As a result, the cost for material, production, and transportation canbe lessened, while decreasing the space for rack in storage and in use.

According to the arrangement of claim 2, since the article can besupported at three points by the three rod members disposed in atriangle, the opposite side rod members serve as right and left sideplates for the rack, and the center rod member serves as a rear platefor the rack. Thereby, the flat article can be stably accommodated.

According to the arrangement of claim 3, one set of rack unit consistingof three rod members or assembly of plural sets of rack units as a wholeis foldable and expandable. Accordingly, the space for the rack can befurther reduced by folding the rack to a closed state in storage,transportation, and in non-used state.

The distance between the opposite side rod members can be adjustedaccording to the planar contour and size of the article to beaccommodated in the rack.

In the case where the rack is constructed into a zigzag shape in planarview by assembling the plural sets of rack units, the direction ofinserting the article can be differentiated per rack unit, or thearticle can be accommodated in the opposite direction every other rackunit. Thus, display systems which would not have been conducted with useof the conventional rack can be adopted.

According to the arrangement of claim 4 where each rod member is mountedupright to the common base member, the upstanding posture of the rackcan be more stabilized, compared to the case where the rod members arelinked each other by the linking plate at the opposite lengthwise endsthereof.

According to the arrangement of claim 5, compressingly mounting the rodmember between e.g., a ceiling and a floor can facilitate assembly ofrack. Further, only two rod members would do, if a side wall of abuilding is utilized as a rear plate for the rack.

According to the arrangement of claim 6 where the rod member isconstructed by a shaft and plural flange members integrally formed alongan outer circumference of the shaft, the production cost for the rodmember can be reduced.

According to the arrangement of claim 7 where the rod pieces eachprovided with the flange member are axially coupled one over another toform the rod member, the length of the rod member can be desirablyadjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of rod pieces.

Further, according to the arrangement of claim 8 where the rod piecesare axially coupled by inserting the core rod through the hollowportions of the rod pieces, the rod member can be reinforced by theexistence of core rod. This arrangement is effective in producing a rackof a multiple shelf type.

According to the arrangement of claim 9 where the rod pieces with thehollow portions are directly coupled one over another, merely increasingor decreasing the number of rod pieces can adjust the length of the rodmember easily.

I claim:
 1. A rack for holding a plurality of flat articlescomprising:three elongated supports each having a longitudinal axis andeach having longitudinal ends; linking elements connected to saidelongated supports for supporting said elongated supports in a positionin which the longitudinal axis of the elongated supports are parallel toone another and in which the longitudinal ends of the elongated supportsare disposed at the apexes of a triangle; a pivotal mounting pivotablyto mounting at least one of said linking elements on at least one ofsaid elongated supports to enable changing the relative position betweensaid at least one elongated support and said at least one otherelongated support; and a plurality of spaced and parallel flange memberson each of said elongated supports for supporting edge portions of saidflat articles in the spaces between said flange members.
 2. The rackaccording to claim 1, wherein some of said linking members constitute abase member, and each of said elongated supports is mounted upright onthe base member.
 3. The rack according to claim 1, wherein at least oneof said elongated supports includes a shaft integrally formed with theplural flange members lined up in the axial direction at spacedintervals over an outer surface of said shaft.
 4. The rack according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of said elongated supports is formed withplural rod pieces each having one of said flange members, said rodpieces being coupled one to another axially in such a manner that theflange members are opposed to one another in spaced relationship.
 5. Therack according to claim 4, wherein each rod piece is formed with ahollow portion, and said at least one elongated support furthercomprises a core rod inserted through the hollow portions of the rodpieces.
 6. The rack according to claim 4, wherein each rod piece isformed with a hollow portion and an engaging portion, said hollowportion having an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of saidengaging portion, said rod pieces being axially coupled one to anotherby fittingly mounting the engaging portion of one rod piece in thehollow portion of another rod piece.
 7. A rack according to claim 1wherein said pivotal mounting enables adjusting the spacing between saidfirst and third elongated supports to accommodate flat articles ofdiffering size.
 8. A rack according to claim 1 wherein said flangemembers are circular discs.
 9. A rack according to claim 8 wherein saidcircular discs have outer perimeters extending 360 degrees.
 10. A rackfor holding a plurality of flat articles comprising:first, second andthird elongated supports each having a longitudinal axis and each havinglongitudinal ends; linking elements between said first and secondelongated supports and between said first and third elongated supportsfor supporting said first to third elongated supports in a position inwhich the longitudinal axes of the first to third elongated supports areparallel to one another and in which the longitudinal ends of the firstto third elongated supports are disposed at the apexes of a triangle; apivotal mounting pivotally mounting at least one of said linkingelements on said first elongated support for pivotal movement about thelongitudinal axis of said first elongated support to thereby provide fordisposing said first to third elongated supports in a plurality ofdifferent relative positions including an open position and a closedposition; said first to third elongated supports when in said openposition being disposed at the apexes of an isosceles triangle havingtwo equal angles of a first magnitude; said first to third elongatedsupports when in said closed position being disposed at the apexes of anisosceles triangle having two equal angles of a second magnitude lessthan said first magnitude; and a plurality of spaced and parallel flangemembers on each of said elongated supports for supporting edge portionsof said flat articles in the spaces between said flange members whensaid first to third elongated supports are in said open position.
 11. Arack according to claim 10 wherein said first to third elongatedsupports when in said open position are disposed at the apexes of anequilateral triangle.
 12. A rack according to claim 10 wherein saidsecond and third elongated supports are juxtaposed to one another whensaid first, second to third elongated supports are in said closedposition.
 13. A rack according to claim 11 wherein the flange members onsaid second elongated support contact the flange members on said thirdelongated support when said first to third elongated supports are insaid closed position.
 14. A rack according to claim 10 wherein saidpivotal mounting pivotally mounting at least one of said linkingelements on said first elongated support is a first pivotal mounting,said linking element between said first and second elongated supports isa first linking element and said linking element between said first andthird elongated supports is a second linking element, said first linkingelement constituting said at least one linking element, and furthercomprising a second pivotal mounting pivotably mounting said secondlinking element on said first elongated support.
 15. A rack according toclaim 14 wherein each of said first to third elongated supports havefirst and second terminating end portions, said first linking elementcomprising first and second linking parts, said first linking partextending between said first terminating end portions of said first andsecond elongated supports, said second linking part extending betweensaid second terminating end portions of said first and second elongatedsupports.
 16. A rack according to claim 14 wherein said second linkingelement comprises third and fourth linking parts, said third linkingpart extending between said first terminating end portions of said firstand third elongated supports, said fourth linking part extending betweensaid second terminating end portions of said first and third elongatedsupports.
 17. A rack according to claim 10 further comprising a stop onat least one of said linking element engageable with another linkingelement to determine said open position.
 18. A rack for holding aplurality of flat articles comprising:first, second and third elongatedsupport means each having a longitudinal axis and each havinglongitudinal ends; linking means between said first and second elongatedsupport means and between said first and third elongated support meansfor supporting said first to third elongated support means in a positionin which the longitudinal axes of the first to third elongated supportmeans are parallel to one another and in which the longitudinal ends ofthe first to third elongated support means are disposed at the apexes ofa triangle; a pivotal means pivotally mounting at least one of saidlinking means on said first elongated support means for pivotal movementabout the longitudinal axis of said first elongated support means tothereby provide for disposing said first to third elongated supportmeans in a plurality of different relative positions including an openposition and a closed position; said first to third elongated supportmeans when in said open position being disposed at the apexes of anisosceles triangle having two equal angles of a first magnitude; saidfirst to third elongated support means when in said closed positionbeing disposed at the apexes of an isosceles triangle having two equalangles of a second magnitude less than said first magnitude; and aplurality of spaced and parallel flange means on each of said elongatedsupport means for supporting edge portions of said flat articles in thespaces between said flange means when said first to third elongatedsupport means are in said open position.
 19. A rack for holding aplurality of flat articles comprising:first to fifth elongated supportseach having a longitudinal axis and each having longitudinal ends; firstlinking elements between said first and second elongated supports andbetween said first and third elongated supports for supporting saidfirst to third elongated supports in a position in which thelongitudinal axes of the first to third elongated supports are parallelto one another; a first pivotal mounting pivotally mounting at least oneof said first linking elements on said first elongated support forpivotal movement about the longitudinal axis of said first elongatedsupport to thereby provide for disposing said first to third elongatedsupports in a plurality of different relative positions including afirst open position and a first closed position; said first to thirdelongated supports when in said first open position being disposed atthe apexes of a first isosceles triangle having two equal angles; saidfirst to third elongated supports when in said first closed positionbeing disposed at the apexes of a second isosceles triangle having twoequal angles less than the equal angles of said first isoscelestriangles; second linking elements between said third and fourthelongated supports and between said fourth and fifth elongated supportsfor supporting said third to fifth elongated supports in a position inwhich the longitudinal axes of the third to fifth elongated supports areparallel to one another, a second pivotal mounting pivotally mounting atleast one of said second linking elements on said fourth elongatedsupport for pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis of said fourthelongated support to thereby provide for disposing said third to fifthelongated supports in a plurality of different relative positionsincluding a second open position and a second closed position; saidthird to fifth elongated supports when in said second open positionbeing disposed at the apexes of a third isosceles triangle having twoequal angles; said third to fifth elongated supports when in said secondclosed position being disposed at the apexes of a fourth isoscelestriangle having two equal angles less than the equal angles of saidthird isosceles triangle; and a plurality of spaced and parallel flangemembers on each of said first to fifth elongated supports for supportingedge portions of said flat articles in the spaces between said flangemembers when said first to third elongated supports are in said firstopen position and said third to fifth elongated supports are in saidsecond open position.
 20. A rack disposed between upper and lowergenerally horizontal structures for holding a plurality of flat articlescomprising:a plurality of elongated and vertical rod elements extendingbetween said upper and lower generally horizontal structures; adjustingmechanisms on each of said rod elements for adjusting the verticallength of each rod element between a plurality of positions including aretaining position and a release position; the vertical length of eachrod element when in said retaining position being such as to engage saidupper and lower generally horizontal structures under tension to therebyeffect retention of said rod elements in a fixed upright positionbetween said upper and lower generally horizontal structures; thevertical length of each of said rod elements when in said releaseposition being such as to enable release of said tension and tofacilitate installation of said rod elements into said retainingposition and removal of said rod elements from said retaining position;and a plurality of spaced and parallel flange members supported on eachof said rod elements for supporting edge portions of said flat articlesin the spaces between said flange members when said plurality of rodelements are in said retaining position.